Mike Campbell, the legendary guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, is set to release his career-spanning memoir, simply titled “Heartbreaker,” next week. The book charts Campbell’s fruitful and colorful career in the band, and he has opened up on what he brought to the table as Petty’s guitar foil.
According to Campbell, he brought a unique musicality that Tom Petty couldn’t match alone. He highlights his guitar techniques and influences that were expressed in songs like “Free Fallin'” and “American Girl,” showcasing their stylistic polarity. When asked about one instance where he gave Petty something that sounded too much like him, the guitarist replied, “That sounds too much like me. Go do something that I can’t do.”
Campbell’s memoir reveals how well his partnership with Petty worked, as demonstrated by Petty’s ability to turn nothing into something. The guitarist also shares memories of working with other musical legends, including Bob Dylan and Warren Zevon.
The book showcases Campbell’s entire career, including chance encounters with heroes, a deep love for Tom Petty, and their brotherly friction throughout the years. With his memoir set to be released next week, fans can expect an inside look at one of rock music’s most iconic partnerships.
Source: https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/mike-campbell-on-his-partnership-with-tom-petty